Etisalat deploys Netcracker's NaaS solution

Etisalat has deployed Netcracker’s network-as-a-service (NaaS) solution as part of its residential virtual customer premises equipment (vCPE) rollout – the first in the Middle East and Africa.

The deployment is part of Etisalat’s larger cloud initiative, called the Sahaab program, which it says will help reduce the time it takes to launch new services.

The partnership with Netcracker, which is part of NEC, sees Etisalat use the vendor’s full-stack NaaS solution and security virtual network functions. The solution include self-service portals, service orchestration, and MANO offerings, and will enable to operator to introduce new, potentially revenue-generating, value-added services.

"We are honored to have partnered with Etisalat to launch the first commercial vCPE solutions in the Middle East and Africa," said Shigeru Okuya, Senior Vice President at NEC Corporation. "Our solution will help Etisalat automate the operation and maintenance of its physical and virtual network infrastructure, while generating new revenue streams in the residential market."

The deployment is the first of its kind in the region, according to NEC/Netcracker and will also serve a role in reducing Etisalat’s costs through the use of virtualisation capabilities that are hardware independent.

"We are excited to kick off our virtualization program with NEC and Netcracker," said Esmaeel Alhammadi, Senior Vice President of Network Development at Etisalat. "NEC/Netcracker's NaaS solution will help us generate new revenue and deliver new offerings using value-added services, leading to a better overall customer experience."